I attended FINCON earlier this month, and one of the sessions I watched was Kylie Ofiu’s. She advocated that you stop watching TV and focus on making money during that time instead. She made a very good point about how much time is wasted in front of the TV.

While some of us can get rid of the TV, it’s not a viable option for all of us. Indeed, my husband loves to unwind in front of the TV every day. But, just because you don’t feel like you can get rid of the TV completely doesn’t mean that you can’t make money during this down time. There are ways to earn money while you sit in front of the TV:

If you are interested in learning more about making money online check out How I Make Money Online and sign up for your FREE course!

1. Freelance

In almost any list that involves things you can do to make money from home, I put freelancing first. If you have a laptop, you can sit in front of the TV with it and get to work writing, coding, or working on graphic design. You can even do some virtual assistant tasks while watching TV. Sometimes, when I want to make a little extra money, I work on something in the evening while my husband and I are watching TV. This can be a great way to get ahead on some projects, and make a little money on the side.

2. Monetize a Web Site

It can take months or years to build up a web site to the point that it is monetized. However, a lot of the tasks that you can accomplish can be done while you watch TV. From arranging web hosting, to building your site, to writing blog posts, to applying for affiliate programs, you can work on your web site while you sit on your couch, watching TV. Work on your web site for a couple hours a night, and you can start something that offers a reasonable rate of return. If you are interested in setting up a blog for additional income check out How I Make Money Online and subscribe to the free course.

3. Manage Your Investment Portfolio

These days, almost anyone can invest. While you’re watching TV, consider some of the things you can do to manage your portfolio. You can research investments and, in some cases, even do some trading. You can create a new plan, or evaluate your current plan to see where it needs tweaking. Investing is one of the best ways to build wealth over time, and you can use your TV time to work on creating an income portfolio, or manage the portfolio you already have. Download our free investment ebook on our partner blog Excess Return.

4. Express Your Crafty Side

I know someone who enjoys crochet. She can crochet while she and her husband watch TV, and then sell the results later. If you are good at crafts, you can work on your hobby while you are watching TV. Crochet, cross-stitch, and knitting are especially good activities for sitting in front of the TV. You can sell your handiwork on Etsy or other craft marketplaces.

5. Sell Your Stuff on eBay

Use TV time to manage your online selling business. You can list items for sale during this time, check your messages and answer questions, and see where you stand. While you still have to leave the house to mail your items in many cases, there is no reason why you can’t manage your auctions and post new items while you are watching TV.

6. Do Simple Tasks for Others

There sites that allow you to do simple tasks for others. These are often tasks that don’t take up much time, and that you can do fairly quickly and easily. You won’t become incredibly wealthy by doing small tasks offered on sites like Mechanical Turk and Fiverr, but you can make a few extra bucks while you are sitting in front of the TV, and a few extra bucks is still a few extra bucks.

TV time doesn’t have to be idle time. There are ways to make this unproductive and unprofitable time more worth your while. Think about your situation, and your skills. Chances are there is something you can do to make money while sitting in front of the TV.